Flow apparatus



A. S. PARKS FLOW APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1939 March 31, 1942 Patented Mar. 31, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOW APPARATUS V Asbury S. Parks, Houston, Tex. Application May 22, 1939, serial No. 274,914

(ci. s-234) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in flow apparatus. v

One object of the invention is to provide an improved flow apparatus for wells, which will efficiently control the admission of an auxiliary lifting fluid into the well liquid column to lift said liquid to the surface, said apparatus being particularly7 adapted for use as an intermitter, whereby the lifting fluid is intermittently admitted as and when needed in accordance with the lheight of the fluid column.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved well ow apparatus having a control valve, actuated by the pressure differential thereacross, for admitting a lifting fluid to the lower end of a well liquid column, together with means at the surface for accurately controlling the pressure differential required to open and close said valve, whereby a surface control of the gas-admitting valve is had and said valve can be readily regulated to operate under the various well conditions which may be encountered.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved flow apparatus, wherein a single valve member, which has one side exposed to the well liquid pressure, is employed for controlling the admission of a lifting fluid into the well liquid column, the opposite side of said piston being exposed to a predetermined uid pressure which is controllable from the surface, whereby the valve is actuated by the differential in pressure between the well liquid pressure and the controlled fluid pressure, the arrangement permitting the apparatus to be adjusted so that the valve will automatically open when the well liquid column reaches a predetermined height in the well bore.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus, of the character described, having a valve for controlling the admission of gas to the liquid column, which valve has one side exposed to the liquid pressure and its opposite side exposed to a controllable fluid pressure when in a closed position, whereby the valve is opened when a predetermined pressure differential thereacross occurs; the apparatus also including automatically operable means for equalizing the pressures across the valve when the well liquid has been raised to the surface, whereby said valve may automatically close to shut off the admission of lifting fluid after such lifting of the well liquid.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus, of the character described, having a gas-admitting valve member arranged to be-disposed in the lower end of the well bore for controlling the admittance of the fluid to the liquid column, together with a piston operated valve element at the surface for controlling the actuation of the gas-admitting valve member; the surface valve element being automatically operable,` whereby lifting uid is admitted to the liquid column to raise the same when said column builds up to a predetermined height, and said lifting fluid is shut oli after the liquid has been. lifted to the surface to permit additional well liquid to enter and rise upwardly in the well bore.

A further objectr of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus, of the character described, which is simple in construction and which includes a minimum number of working parts, whereby manufacturing and operating costs are minimized; the surface control equipment being small and compact and being readily attached to the Christmas tree hook-up,

` whereby its mounting is facilitated.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

, Figure l is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of a flow apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention, and showing the gas-admitting valve in its closed position prior to the admission of the lifting gas,

Figure 2 is asimilar View with the valve in an open position,

Figure 3 is a similar view, showing the valve in a balanced condition immediately after the well liquid has been lifted to the surface, and

Figurefl is an enlarged transverse, sectional view of the gas-admitting valve.

In the drawing, the numeral l0 designates a well casing which extends downwardly through the well bore A in the usual manner. The upper end of the well casing projects above the surface of the ground and is externally screwthreaded whereby a suitable casing head Il may be mounted thereon. The casing head is provided with an inlet port I2 which extends radially through the side wall thereof and an inlet pipe I3 is connected within this port. A lifting fluid, such as gas or air, may be introduced through the pipe I3 and will venter the upper end of the well casing so as to flow downwardly therethrough. A tubing support or head i4 is provided with an annular flange at its lower end and this liange is bolted, or otherwise secured, to the casing head il. The tubing support is provided with an axial bore l5 which has its lower end threaded, whereby the upper end of the tubing string l5 may be threaded thereinto. ldanifestly, the tubing is suspended from the support iii and extends axially through the well casing ii).

The lower end of the well tubing it has the usual well screen or perforated section of pipe il connected thereto by means of a coupling collar i3 and this well screen is located in the lower end of the bore A. For packing off the annular space between the tubing string and the well easing it, a suitable packer E Q, ,which is shown schematically, is provided. This packer may be of any construction such as the 'packers which may be purchased on the open market and is preferably set immediately above the well screen il. When the packer is in its set position, -t-he lifting iiuid which is introduced through the .pipe may pass downwardly 'through the casing but cannot pass to the lower end of the well bore A; similarly the well liquid from the lower end of the bore must flow into the tubing through ythe perforated section of pipe or screen I'I.

A standing valve is mounted in the lower end of the tubing string it and includes the usual seat 2li having an axial bore 2l extending therethrough. A valve cage 22 is secured to the seat 20 and has a ball valve 23 conned therein.

When the ball 23 is in its seated position, a flow downwardly from the tubing string is prevented. Since the ball Et is moved to a seated position by gravity, it is 4evident that the well liquid which is ventering the well screen and flowing upwardly serves to unseat said ball and permit entrance into the 'flower end Vof the tubingstring.

A-control valve assembly B for controlling the admittance of the lifting fluid from the well casing into the well tubing is connected in the tubing `string i 6 above the standing valve and Ypacker I2 i9. This assembly `includes fan elongate sleeve 2t `which has its extremities externally screwthreaded, whereby it may be'readily coupled in the btubing string. The diameter of the sleeve is substantially that of the tubing, as is clear-ly 533 shown in the drawing. A cylinder 25, which is preferably made integral with the sleeve 24, is disposed intermediate the ends of saidsleeve and, for ley-passing fluid around the cylinder, a vertical by-pass passage E6 is formed at one side of 'if said sleeve, This passage communicates with the tubing below the cylinder 25 and also with the tubing above said cylinder, whereby .an upward flow of the well liquid past the cylinder may occur.

The bottom of the cylinder is .provided with an opening 2l 'and the wall of this opening is bevelled at its upper end, `as indicated at 28 in Figure 4, whereby a valve seat is formed. A valve disk 29 4is -arranged to engage the seat 2S to close the opening 2l and said disk is provided with an axial stem 3d which has its upper end secured to a piston-3| which lis movable vertically within the cylinder 25. It is pointed out that the upper surface of the valve disk l29 is substantially the same as the diameter of the piston 3l, whereby a balanoed valve effect is produced. The valve is normally held on its seat by a coiled spring 32 which is confined between the top of the piston 3i and the underside ofthe top of the cylinder y25, said CII spring exerting its pressure to constantly urge the piston and valve disk to their lowermost positions. The interior of the cylinder 25 communi- `Cates with the casing through an inlet port 33 which is formed in the Wall of the cylinder.

With the above arrangement, it will be obvious that the pressure of the lifting fluid within the casing lil may enter the interior of the cylinder 25 between the piston 3l and the valve disk 2B. Since the exposed surfaces of the piston and disks are substantially the same, it is manifest that the pressure of the lifting uid will not affect the position of said disk and piston, such position being shown in Figure 1. At this time,

the valve and piston are urged to a lowered position by the spring 32. For aiding the spring 32 in holding the valve disk seated until a predetermined amount of liquid enters the tubing string, as will `be hereinafter explained, a pressure fluid is conducted to the upper end of the cylinder 25 through Ya vertically extending tube or conductor 3d, This conductor `has its lower end threaded into an opening i3d formed in the top of the cylinder and said conductor `extends axially through lthe Well tubing it. vThe upper end of the conductor 4is suspended from a supporting collar or nipple 35, which isbolted or `otherwise secured to the tubing support i4. It is preferable to thread the upper end 4of the tube or conductor 34 into ythe flower end of the :bore of the nipple 36. Obviously, the pressure of the fluid Within the conductor 313 will act downwardly on the piston 3| and will aid the spring :32 in holding the valve in its seated position.

rIfhe well liquid which flows yinto the tubing from the lower end of the wel-l bore acts against the underside of the valve-disk '2Q which is exposed thereto through 'the opening 2l. When the liquid column in the tubing string rises to a point in the Itubing which raises the pressure of the well `liquid a vsuicient amount to overcome the pressure yacting downwardly on the `piston 3| through the conductor, plus the pressure of the spring 232, then the valve'disk 29 is lifted from its seat :23. As `soon as this occurs, vthe lifting fluid within the well casing l lliliows vthrough the opening 2 and into the tubing. This `lifting fluid iiows upwardly through the by-ipass 2t and serves to lift the :column 4of liquid Lto the surface. The raised liquid "escapes from the casing head through an outlet opening 31, provided for the purpose.

When the 'valve disk and piston move to their raised position, as shown in Figure 2, the pressure ofthe lifting gas is acting against the underside of :the tdisk, whereby said ldisk is held in its raised position. Such position of the valve disk remains until the pressure across said valve is equalized, lat which time 4the .coiled spring 32 will :again seat the valve f to cut off the admission ofthe 'lifting huid.

For controlling vthe pressure of the iiiuid within the `conductor Sil so as to control the point at which the valve disk .lit is unseate'd, and also for automatically balancing .the pressures across the valve and piston when the well-liquids have been lifted to the surface, .a controlvalve C is provided at the .surface .ofthe Well. This valve includes a cylinder 238 fha-ving a piston valve 39 slidable therein. `The valve -is formed with an vannular groove lil .and a coiled spring 4l is conlined 'between one Lend of the valve and the end wall of the cylinder.. 'This spring exerts its pressure to constantly urge the .piston .to one end of the cylinder, suchend 'being "to the right in Figure l. The spring 4l is of a predetermined tension, as will be explained, and may be readily changed to take care of different conditions. If desired, an adjusting screw, which could extend through the end wall of the cylinder 38, could be secured to said spring 4l, whereby an adjustment for varying the tension of said spring would be had.

The end of the piston 38 opposite that in which the spring 4l is disposed is directly connected to the bore of the tubing support I4 by a pipe 42, whereby this end of the cylinder communi- Cates with the interior of the tubing string I6. An angular pipe ,43 has one end secured within a port 44 provided in the casing head Il, while the other end of said pipe is fastened in a radial opening 46 formed in the wall of the cylinder 38 and this pipe is arranged to establish communication between the interior of the casing l and the interior of said cylinder. Diametrically opposite the opening 46 in the cylinder 33 is an opening il which has the lower end .of an upright pipe i3 secured thereto. This pipe is connected by an elbow 43 -with an angular pipe `G which is threaded into the top of the supporting collar or nipple 33, whereby the interior of the cylinder 38 communicates with the interior of the conductor 34. An opening 5| is provided in the wall of the cylinder 38 adjacent the opening 4l and an upright pipe52 connects the lateral or angular pipe 53 with this opening. Diametrically opposite the opening 5l is another opening or port 53, which opening is formed in the wall of the cylinder 33 adjacent the opening 43. An outlet pipe 53 leads from the opening 53 and has a suitable pop Valve 55 connected thereto. This valve may be set for any desired pressure and when the pressure in the line 54 exceeds that amount, such excessive pressure is released. The valve 55 is of standard construction and may be purchased on the open market.

When the piston 33 within the cylinder 3B is in'the position shown in Figure 1, it has moved to the right within said cylinder and, at such time, the annular groove` 43 in said piston is alined with the openings 5i and 53, whereby a communication is established between the pipe 54 and pipe 52. Therefore, atthis time, the pressure within the conductor 34 flows into the angular pipe 50, then through the pipe 52 and into the pipe 54. Since the pop Valve -55 is connected in the line 54, it is manifest that the adjustment of this valve will maintain the pressure within the conductor 34 at a predetermined point, as controlled by the adjustment of said valve.

As will be explained, the piston is arranged to be moved to the left in Figure l, so as to abut an internal shoulder 38 which is formed in the bore of said cylinder. In this position, as shown in Figure 3, the annular groove 40 in the piston 39 is alined or registered with the openings 46 and 4l provided in the cylinder wall. position, communication is established between the interior of the casing l@ and the interior of the conductor 34, such communication being through the pipes 33, 48 and 50. Manifestly, when the piston is in this position (Figure 3), the pressure within the casing lil and the pressure within the conductor 34 is equalized, whereby the pressures on opposite sides'of the piston 3| and valve disk 29 are also equalized. When this occurs, the coiled spring 32 will move the In such -disk 29 is in its seated position.

piston and disk into engagement with the valve seat 28.

In the operation of the apparatus, a predetermined pressure fluid is introduced into the conduotor 34in any suitable manner. This pressure may be built up by introducing the` gas or air which isAV used for lifting purposes. At this time, the control piston 39 is in the position shown in Figure 1, 4whereby a communication between the interior of the conductor 34 and the line 54, wherein thevalve `55 is connected, is had. The valve 55, as explained, will maintain the pressure within the conductor 34 at a predetermined point. The pressure within the conductor 34 is acting downwardly on Athe piston 3| within the valve device B, whereby the valve The lifting fluid, which is within the well casing I0, enters the interior of the cylinder 25 through the ports 33 and is acting on the underside of the piston 3l and on the upper side of the valve disk 29. Since the exposed areas of these two elements are the same, it is manifest that a balanced condition is present, whereby the valve disk is held in its seated position by the action of the pressure within the conductor 34, and the pressure of the spring 32.

The well liquids from the bore enter the well screen I1 and flow upwardly into the tubing Hi, said liquids unseating the ball check or standing valve 23. As the well liquids rise upwardly in the tubing, they flow through the by-pass passage 26 and into the tubing above the valve assembly B. The pressure of the well liquids is, of course, acting against the underside of the valve disk 2T and tending to urge the same upwardly. When the column of liquid within the tubing rises to a predetermined point to build up the pressure sufficiently to overcome the pressure within the conductor 34, plus the pressure of the spring 32, the valve disk 23 is moved upwardly or unseated. When this occurs, the lifting fluid within the casing flows through the port 33 and then through the opening 2'! and into the tubing below the fluid column. yAt this time, the pressure of the lifting gas is acting against the underside of the valve disk and holds the same in its wide open position, as shown in Figure 2.

As the lifting gas rises upwardly through the by-pass 26, it lifts the liquid thereabove to the surface of the well, where said liquid is forced outwardly through the outlet 3i in the tubing support i4. The admittance of the lifting gas to the tubing will immediately close the ball check 23, whereby said gas cannot escape downwardly to the formation.

After the liquid is lifted to the surface, ther pressure within the well tubing I6 and that within the well casing Il] is equalized because the lift'- ing fluid is present in each. As the pressure in the upper end of the tubing I6 is built up by the lifting fluid rising therein, this pressure is exerted through the pipe 42 against the end of the control piston 39. When this pressure builds up to a predetermined point sufficient to overcome the pressure of the spring 4|, the piston 33 is moved to the position shown in Figure 3. When this oc curs, communication is established between the ports 46 and 41, whereby "communication between the interior of the casing I0 and the interior of the conductor 34 is established. This equalizes the pressure in the casing I0 and in the conductor 34, whereby the pressures acting on opposite sides of the piston 3| and Valve disk 23 are equal ized. Such equalization of pressures across the valve permits the spring 32 to close the valve by moving the disk 29 onto its seat 321, as shown in Figure 3. As the tubing pressure drops by the escape of the lifting fluid through the outlet 31, the spring 4| in the control valve fcylinder C `returns the piston 39 to its original position, as 'shown in Figure 1, whereby the interior of .the conductor 34 again communicates with -the line '54, which line has the pop valve l'55 therein. As

ysoon as such communication is established, the

pressure which exceeds `that for which the valve 55 is adjusted, escapes through the .line'54 and this returns the pressure in the conductor 34 to its original or predetermined point. Thus, kthe parts have returned to their original positions, as shown in Figure 1, and the well liquids Mmay again enter the tubing to rise upwardly therein to a predetermined column. The operation of the valve is then repeated.

From the above, it will be seen that a simple and eflicient apparatus for intermittently and -automatically introducing a lifting gas to the liquid column is provided. There are only two moving parts to the entire apparatus, whereby .f

wear is reduced to a minimum. The adjustments of the spring 4! in the control valve assembly C control the sliding of the piston to its position shown in Figure 3 and thereby control the point at which the valve disk 29 is closed. Any desired f pressure may be maintained within the conductor 34 and, manifestly, this pressure controls the height-of the column which may be built up prior to the admission of the lifting gas. The device is yparticularly adapted for use as an intermitter since it automatically admits the lifting iiuid 'when a predetermined amount of liquid has entered the tubing. When the valve is seated, its upper end is exposed to the fixed or predetermined pressure in the conductor 34, while its lower end is exposed to the pressure of the -well liquid, whereby the differential in these two pressures opens said valve. The valve, after being opened, is maintained in such open position, until the control valve piston 39 is moved to equalize the pressures across the valve and piston, at

which time the spring 32 returns the same to its seated position. It is pointed out that the size of the tube or conductor 34 is subject Yto variation and the xed or predetermined pressure 'which is maintained therein is varied in accordance with well conditions.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desi-re to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A flow apparatus including, a Well tubing, means connected in the tubing vand actuated by a pressure differential thereacross Yfor controlling the admission of a lifting iiuid into the well tubing, said means having one side exposed to the pressure of the well liquid in Ithe tubing, and means controllable from the surface and -communicating with the other side of said `control means for subjecting the latter side of said control means to a predetermined uid pressure, Awhereby said control means 'is actuated to admit lifting fluid to the tubing when the pressure of the well liquid reaches a predetermined point.

2. A flow apparatus including, a well tubing having a well liquid inlet, a valve member mounted lin the 'tubing above the liquid inlet andarranged toibe lactuated by the pressure differential 'thereacrosa said valve member having one side exposed to the Well liquid pressure, means for `subjecting the other side of the member to a Ipredetermined pressure, whereby the valve memloer is moved to an open position to admit lifting fluid to the tubing when the Well liquid pressureexceeds such predetermined pressure, means at the surface for controlling the fluid pressure to which the valve member is subjected, and means for closing the valve member after the Well liquid has been ejected from the tubing.

3. A flow apparatus including, a well tubing having a well liquid inlet, a valve member mounted in the tubing above the liquid inlet and arranged to be actuated by the pressure differential thereacross, said valve member having one side exposed to the well liquid pressure, means for subjecting the other side of the member to a predetermined pressure, whereby the valve member is moved to an open position to admit lifting fluid to the tubing when the well` liquid pressure exceeds such predetermined pressure, means at the surface having communication with said tubing for automatically equalizing the pressures across the valve member after the liquid has been ejected from the tubing, and resilient means for urging the member to its closed position to assure such closure upon the equalization of pressures thereacross.

4. A flow apparatus including, a well tubing having a well liquid inlet, a valve member mounted in the tubing above the liquid inlet and arranged to be actuated by the pressure differential thereacross, said valve member having one side exposed to the well liquid pressure, means for subjecting the other side of the member to a predetermined pressure, whereby the valve member is moved to an open position to admit lifting fluid to the tubing when the well liquid pressure exceeds such predetermined pressure, and control means at the surface having communication with said tubing actuated by a predetermined pressure Within the tubing string for equalizing the pressures across the valve member to permit closing thereof after the well liquid has been ejected from the tubing.

`5. An intermittent flow apparatus including, a well tubing, a cylinder connected in said tubing, means for by-passing well liquid upwardly past the cylinder, a Valve member movable in the cylinder for controlling the admission of lifting gas to the tubing, said valve member having one side exposed to the well liquid, means for subjecting the other side of `the member to a predetermined pressure, whereby the well liquid must attain a predetermined pressure before thevalve member is actuated to admit the lifting fluid to the tubing to raise the liquid to the surface, and means controllable from the surface for controlling said predetermined pressure acting against the valve.

6. An intermittent flow apparatus including, a well tubing, a cylinder connected in said tubing,

f means for by-passing well liquids upwardly past the cylinder, a valve member movable in the cylinder `for controlling the admission of lifting gas to the tubing, said valve member having one side exposed to the well liquid, means for subjecting the'other side of the member to a predetermined pressure, whereby the well liquid must attain a predetermined pressure before the valve member is actuated to admit the lifting fluid to the tubing to raise the liquid to the surface, and means at the surface ofthe well having communication with said cylinder for equalizing the pressure across the valve member after the liquid is ejected to permit closing of said member.

7. An intermittent flow apparatus including, a well tubing, a cylinder connected in said tubing, means for by-passing well liquids upwardly past the cylinder, a valve member movable in the cylinder for controlling the admission of lifting gas to the tubing, said Valve member having one side exposed to the Well liquid, means for subjecting the other side of the member to a predetermined pressure, whereby the well liquid must attain a predetermined pressure before the valve member is actuated to admit the lifting iluid to the tubing to raise the liquid to the surface, means controllable from the surface for controlling said predetermined pressure acting against the valve, and valve means at the surface actuated by a predetermined pressure within the tubing string for equalizing the pressures across the valve member to permit closing thereof after the well liquid has been ejected from the tubing.

8. An intermittent ow apparatus including, a well tubing, a cylinder connected in said tubing, means for by-passing Well liquids upwardly past the cylinder, a valve member movable in the cylinder for controlling the admission of lifting gas to the tubing, said valve member having one side exposed to the well liquid, a conductor leading upwardly from the cylinder to the surface of the well, means for maintaining a predetermined pressure in said conductor whereby the other side of the valve member is exposed to such predetermined pressure and said member is actuated to admit the lifting gas when the well liquid pressure exceeds such predetermined pressure, a line connecting said conductor with the lifting fluid pressure exteriorly of the tubing, and a control valve at the surface connected in said line and arranged to admit the lifting fluid pressure to the conductor to balance the pressures across the gas-admitting valve member after the well liquid has been lifted, whereby said member may return to its closed position.

9. An intermittent ow apparatus including, a well tubing, a cylinder connected in said tubing,

means for by-passing well liquids upwardly pastthe cylinder, a valve member movable in the cylinder for controlling the admission of lifting gas to the tubing, said valve member having one side exposed to the well liquid, a conductor leading upwardly from the cylinder to the surface of the well, means for maintaining a predetermined pressure in said conductor whereby the other side of the valve member is exposed to such predetermined pressure and said member is actuated to admit the lifting gas when the well liquid pressure exceeds such predetermined pressure, a line connecting said conductor with the lifting fluid pressure exteriorly of the tubing, and a control valve at the surface connected in said line and arranged to admit the lifting fluid pressure to the conductor to balance the pressures across the` gas-admitting valve member after the well liquid has been lifted, whereby said member may return to its closed position, said control valve being actuated by a predetermined pressure in the Well tubing.

10. A flow apparatus including, a well tubing having a well liquid inlet, a valve member mounted in the tubing above the liquid inlet and arranged to -be actuated by the pressure differential thereacross, said valve member having one side exposed to the well liquid pressure, means for subjecting the other side of the member to a predetermined fluid pressure, whereby the valve member is moved to an open position to admit lifting fluid to the tubing when the well liquid pressure exceeds such predetermined pressure,.

and means for controlling the fluid pressure to which the Valve member is subjected, whereby said iiuid pressure may be varied under various operating conditions.

11. A flow apparatus including, a well tubing having a well liquid inlet and a lifting fluid inlet, means connected in the tubing and actuated by a pressure differential thereacross for controlling the admission of a lifting uid into the tubing, said means being exposed to the lifting fluid, means for balancing the effect of said lifting uid on the control means so that the pressure of the lifting uid does not affect the operation thereof, said control means having one side exposed to the pressure of the well liquid in the tubing, and means for subjecting the other side of said control means to a predetermined fluid pressure which is separate from the lifting fluid pressure, whereby said control means is actuated solely by the differential in these pressures and without the aid of the lifting fluid pressure to admit the lifting fluid to the tubing when the pressure of the well liquid reaches a predetermined point.

ASBURY S. PARKS. 

